Station for applying a coating layer on prefabricated panels and line provided with the station

Abstract

The present invention relates to a station (1) to be integrated in a panel (PL) manufacturing line (L) for the application of a coating layer, such as a cementitious mixture (CL), on the panels (PL). The station comprises an elongate hopper (T) and a support structure (E) of the hopper (T) having respective ends (TE), the structure (E) comprising support legs (21, 22, 23, 24) each provided with first height adjustment means (Z11, Z12, Z13, Z14) so that they can adjust the height of both ends of the structure (E), and comprising second height adjustment means (Z21, Z22) between each end (TE) of the hopper (T) and the structure (E). The invention also relates to a line provided with this station.

Description

[0001] STATION FOR APPLYING COATING LAYER TO PREFABRICATED PANELS AND LINE PROVIDED BY THE STATION

[0002] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0003] The invention focuses on stations for prefabricated panel manufacturing lines, and more specifically on applying coatings that can be fed via a hopper to gypsum panels. For example, the invention can be used to apply a viscous compound that, after drying, improves the mechanical properties and moisture resistance of the panels.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Stations designed for integration into a flat plate manufacturing line are well known, such as construction panels and specifically for applying a coating layer to these panels.

[0006] These stations are equipped with an elongated hopper and a hopper support structure.

[0007] For the following description, the following are defined in relation to this station: a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the direction of the line, i.e., the direction in which the panels to which the coating must be applied are moved; a transverse direction Y corresponding to the elongated dimension of the hopper, and which is therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X; and a height direction Z, perpendicular to the two previous ones.

[0008] Likewise, the hopper has two ends defined according to the transverse Y direction.

[0009] These structures also include support legs generally provided with height adjustment means so that the height of the ends of the structure can be adjusted and therefore the height of the elongated hopper can be adjusted with respect to the panel that runs underneath.

[0010] Prefabricated gypsum-based panels generally have high tolerances, so height adjustment mechanisms are sufficient to meet specifications.

[0011] However, when manufacturing composite panels where the coating layer must be very thin, the precision offered by these regulating means is insufficient. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention proposes a station intended for integration into a panel manufacturing line for applying a coating layer to the panels, comprising an elongated hopper and a hopper support structure, such that a longitudinal direction corresponding to the line direction, a transverse direction corresponding to the elongated dimension of the hopper, and a height direction are defined, with the hopper having two ends along the transverse direction, the structure comprising support legs each provided with first height adjustment means so as to allow the height of both ends of the structure to be adjusted, and comprising second height adjustment means between each of the ends of the hopper and the structure.

[0013] This provides a structure that allows for fine and precise adjustment of the hopper relative to the panels, particularly because by dividing the height adjustment into two subsystems, a first rough adjustment of the hopper relative to the panels is allowed in the first adjustment stage, and a second, finer adjustment with the second adjustment means, which will optimize the height position of the hopper and provide great control over the homogeneity of the coating layer thickness.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first means of height adjustment are pneumatic or hydraulic pistons and preferably have two positions according to the vertical Z direction:

[0015] A) Retracted: so that they place the hopper in the working position;

[0016] B) Stretched: moving the hopper to the rest position, for when the layer of mixture is not being applied.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second means of height adjustment are worm screws, preferably equipped with two operating handwheels.

[0018] In some embodiments the station includes means for regulating the position of the hopper according to the transverse direction, preferably provided with at least one drive handwheel.

[0019] In some embodiments the station comprises a hopper support substructure consisting of a frame.

[0020] In some embodiments, the means for regulating the position of the hopper according to the transverse direction are two worm screws threaded to the hopper and the frame.

[0021] In some embodiments the structure comprises first crossbars arranged in the longitudinal direction and joining the legs two by two at their upper ends, second crossbars arranged in the transverse direction joined at their ends to the upper part of the first crossbars, and braces arranged in the transverse direction joining the legs two by two at their lower ends.

[0022] In some embodiments the hopper includes a scraper on each of its sides.

[0023] In some embodiments, the station includes floor-mounted feet at the lower ends of the legs. These feet are also equipped with height adjustment mechanisms, preferably using studs. The length of these studs is adjusted during assembly to fit the entire applicator structure to the customer's roller conveyor.

[0024] In some embodiments the station comprises a coating feeding circuit, consisting of stock tanks, a booster pump, transport pipes and a distribution manifold arranged above the hopper.

[0025] Finally, the invention also relates to a panel manufacturing line provided with a station according to any of the preceding claims.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] To complete the description and to provide a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. These drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate embodiments of the invention, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the invention, but simply as an example of how the invention can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the station according to the invention, showing the reference axes used for the description. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of Figure 1, allowing a detailed view of the secondary height adjustment mechanisms.

[0029] Figure 3 is a view of the line according to the invention, with all the station components.

[0030] Figure 4 is an elevation view of the station along the X direction.

[0031] Figure 5 is a plan view of the station.

[0032] Figure 6 is an elevation view along the Y direction on one side.

[0033] Figure 7 is an elevation view along the Y direction on the other side.

[0034] Figures 8 and 9 are two perspectives of a section of line where the station is located according to the invention.

[0035] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The invention relates to a station 1 intended for integration into a PL panel manufacturing line L for applying a CL coating layer to the PL panels, as shown in Figure 3.

[0037] To deposit the coating layer, the station comprises an elongated T-hopper, i.e., provided with an outlet opening at its lower part that is elongated.

[0038] The hopper is supported by a structure E. In this structure, and in order to facilitate the description of the invention, a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the direction of line L, a transverse direction Y corresponding to the elongated dimension of the hopper T, and a height direction Z are defined.

[0039] Being elongated, in the T hopper, two TE ends are defined according to the transverse direction Y, which will be located near the edges of the transport line.

[0040] As can be seen, for example, in Figures 6 and 7, structure E comprises support legs 21, 22, 23, and 24, each provided with first height-adjustment means Z11, Z12, Z13, and Z14, allowing the height of both ends of structure E to be adjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, these first height-adjustment means Z11, Z12, Z13, and Z14 are pneumatic pistons, although they could also be hydraulic. These pistons are intended to allow movement between two positions, approximately 16–20 cm apart, when they are:

[0041] A) Retracted: so that they place the hopper in the working position;

[0042] B) Stretched: moving the hopper to the rest position, for when the layer of mixture is not being applied.

[0043] According to the invention, as can be seen in Figures 1 or 2, the station comprises secondary height adjustment means Z21, Z22 between each of the ends TE of the hopper T and the structure E. These allow for fine adjustment of the hopper's position relative to the panel surface. These secondary height adjustment means Z21, Z22 are worm gears with an adjustment range of approximately 5 cm.

[0044] For fine adjustment, the station is preferably provided with two drive handwheels VZ21, VZ22, one for each end.

[0045] As can be seen in the figures, the station comprises a substructure S2 supporting the hopper T, consisting of a frame S2L, S2T. In the illustrated embodiments, this support frame is the one that is adjusted in height with respect to the main structure by the second adjustment means.

[0046] Apart from the second height adjustment, station 1 is also expected to include means for adjusting the position of the hopper T according to the transverse direction Y, T2. These means are two worm screws T2 threaded into the hopper and the frame S2L, S2T.

[0047] In this case, at least one VT2 drive handwheel is also provided for each worm gear, which can be operated from the end.

[0048] With regard to structure E, it comprises first crossbeams S1L arranged in the longitudinal direction X and connecting legs 21, 22, 23, and 24 in pairs at their upper ends; second crossbeams S1T arranged in the transverse direction Y and connected at their ends to the upper part of the first crossbeams S1L; and tie rods 4 arranged in the transverse direction Y that connect legs 21, 22, 23, and 24 in pairs at their lower ends. It is essential that the hopper includes a scraper R for shaping the deposited coating C.

[0049] As can be seen in Figure 1, the structure E is completed with fixing feet F to the ground at the lower ends of legs 21, 22, 23, 24, the fixing feet F also being provided with height adjustment means, preferably by means of studs.

[0050] Figure 3 shows an embodiment intended for the application of a one-component coating. In this case, the station is expected to include a coating feed circuit, consisting of two tanks, D1 and D2, a booster pump B, coating transport pipes 6, and a distribution manifold 5 located above the hopper T. Tanks D1 and D2, both containing the one-component mixture, serve as interchangeable stocks. For example, at the start of production, product is consumed from D1, and when it is empty, valves would be switched to consume from D2, while D1 is replaced with a full one.

[0051] Optionally, when applying a two-component coating, the following equipment should also be provided:

[0052] - Big bag unloaders',

[0053] - Solid dispensers;

[0054] - Liquid dispensers;

[0055] - Mixing station.

[0056] In this text, the term "compares" and its derivatives (such as "compares", etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include other elements.

[0057] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but also encompasses any variation that may be considered by any person skilled in the art within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A station (1) intended for integration into a panel manufacturing line (L) for applying a coating layer (CL) to the panels (PL), comprising an elongated hopper (T) and a hopper support structure (E), such that a longitudinal direction (X) corresponding to the direction of the line (L), a transverse direction (Y) corresponding to the elongated dimension of the hopper (T), and a height direction (Z) are defined, with the hopper (T) having two ends (TE) along the transverse direction (Y), the structure (E) comprising support legs (21, 22, 23, 24), each provided with first height adjustment means (Z11, Z12, Z13, Z14) allowing the height of both ends of the structure (E) to be adjusted, characterized in that it comprises second height adjustment means (Z21, Z22) between each of the ends (TE). of the hopper (T) and the structure (E).

2. Station (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first height adjustment means (Z11, Z12, Z13, Z14) are pneumatic or hydraulic pistons, preferably with two working positions.

3. Station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second height adjustment means (Z21, Z22) are worm screws, preferably provided with respective drive wheels (VZ21, VZ22).

4. Station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for regulating (T2) the position of the hopper (T) according to the transverse direction (Y), preferably provided with at least one drive handwheel (VT2).

5. Station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a substructure (S2) for supporting the hopper (T) consisting of a frame (S2L, S2T).

6. Station (1) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the means for regulating (T2) the position of the hopper (T) according to the transverse direction (Y) are two worm screws (T2) threaded to the hopper and to the frame (S2L, S2T).

7. Station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (E) comprises first crossbars (S1 L) arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) and joining the legs (21, 22, 23, 24) two by two at their upper ends, second crossbars (S1T) arranged in the transverse direction (Y) joined at their ends to the upper part of the first crossbeams (S1L) and some braces (4) arranged according to the transverse direction (Y) that join the legs (21, 22, 23, 24) two by two at their lower ends.

8. Station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper comprises a scraper (R), preferably on each of its sides.

9. Station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising fixing feet (F) to the ground at the lower ends of the legs (21, 22, 23, 24), the fixing feet (F) also being provided with height adjustment means, preferably by means of studs.

10. Station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a coating feed circuit, consisting of tanks (D1, D2) for the mixture components (C), a booster pump (B), pipes (6) for transporting the coating material and a distribution manifold (5) arranged on the hopper (T).

11. Panel manufacturing line (L) (PL) provided with a station according to any of the preceding claims.

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